Thugs target officers as violence erupts outside nightclub in resort

POLICE have condemned a series of assaults on officers after an outbreak of violence in a Yorkshire seaside resort early yesterday.

Officers were kicked, punched and head-butted during a series of melees in Scarborough outside Boleyns nightclub in St Thomas Street and near the Opera House Casino at around 3.30am.

A number of suspects also spat at police as they tried to arrest those involved in the disorder, with help from bouncers at Boleyns. None of the officers was seriously injured.

Two men from Scarborough, aged 18 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting both male and female police officers. Four more Scarborough men, aged between 19 and 24, were arrested in connection with the incident. Last night all remained in police custody.

Inspector Andy Short, of Scarborough Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “The violence against the officers carrying out their duty to maintain law and order on the streets of Scarborough is wholly unacceptable and something we will absolutely not tolerate.

“There will be a zero tolerance approach to anyone committing violent crime anywhere in the district, drunkenness is not an excuse to assault members of the public, door staff or police officers.

“Those who commit such assaults can expect to dealt with robustly and face the consequences of their actions, they face being banned from licensed premises in the town and also being dealt with at court.

“CCTV footage of the incidents is also being used as part of the evidence against the offenders.”

Witnesses are being urged to call James Hardie from Scarborough police on 101.